Doctor didn't meet teen in Buffalo Grove practice, authorities say

Authorities are saying they have no indication a doctor arrested this week on charges of sexual assault and child pornography met his 17-year-old victim through his Buffalo Grove practice.

Police said Robert Hughes, 48, of Wilmette, a family physician at the Advocate Medical Group office at 214 McHenry Road, helped the 17-year-old female acquire illegal and prescription drugs in exchange for sex acts and the production of child pornography.

Prosecutors said the legal drugs were billed through another one of Hughes' patients.

Hughes, 48, was arrested by Wilmette police Monday near his home on the 700 block of Ridge Road on two counts of sexual assault, two counts of manufacturing child pornography, felony possession of cannabis and endangering the life and health of a child. Police also searched his apartment at the time.

Hughes appeared in the Skokie courthouse Wednesday for a hearing, where his bond was set at $500,000. He remains in custody and will be in court again Monday.

Hughes met the girl through another teenager, but his relationship to the first teenager is unclear, according to the state's attorney's office.

The relationship between the two lasted from last fall to February, the state's attorney's office said. Hughes would pay the girl to perform suggestive dances and other lewd acts that he taped, it was revealed in court.

Prosecutors said he also took her to the West side of Chicago to obtain illegal drugs.

Police said the girl's family became suspicious after they discovered a text message from Hughes on their daughter's phone offering to take her to the city to buy drugs.

Hughes also reportedly visited her while she was in a lock-down rehab facility, the state's attorney's office said.

In a release, Wilmette police Chief Brian King said it took an act of courage for the victim and her parents to come forward.

If convicted, Hughes faces four to 15 years in prison.

Nate Llewellyn, spokesman for the Advocate Medical Group, declined to comment directly on the Hughes case. "We are cooperating and will cooperate with any inquiries with authorities," he said.

There is a plan in place to offer free counseling to patients who are affected by the news, he said.

According to public documents, Hughes obtained his medical license in 1987 and has been a member of the medical group since 1988. He graduated from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago.

Hughes has lived in his Wilmette condominium for about two years, according to ABC 7 Chicago.

Buffalo Grove police said they aren't involved in the investigation and wouldn't be unless there's evidence to suggest criminal activity is tied to the medical practice.

"There doesn't appear to be any link to Buffalo Grove, unless the case develops -- unless a victim develops from here or if they decide that there's potential for search warrants on his computer," said Police Cmdr. Steve Husak. So far, that hasn't happened, he said.

Wilmette police said the investigation is continuing and may result in additional charges.

Anyone with information can call (847) 256-9110.